The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has made move to return the country to the annual pilgrimage by Muslims from all over the world, as it has scrapped major restrictions on COVID19. The COVID19 had made the country to close doors on pilgrimage for two consecutive years, 2020 and 2021.
The country also suspended the restriction of direct flights from Nigeria and 16 other countries. the other countries, include South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Malawi, Mauritius, Zambia, Madagascar, Angola, Seychelles, United Republic of Comoros, Ethiopia and Afghanistan.
The Saudi government has scrapped major COVID-19 restrictions except wearing of masks in the two holy Mosques in Makka and Medina as well as other places of worship in the kingdom.
The directive, issued by Saudi Arabia Ministry of Interior, and confirmed by Saudi embassy in Nigeria, became effective from March 5, 2022.
According to the new policy, citizens visiting the Kingdom will no longer be required to undergo mandatory COVID-19 quarantine or present PCR test result upon arrival in the holy land.
However, the new directive compels all new travelers to Saudi Arabia to secure an insurance that covers the costs of treatment from coronavirus infection.
Also, the Kingdom expressed commitment to complete the implementation of its national plan on immunization, which would enable, among other principles, administration of booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine and applying procedures to verify health status of pilgrims at the point of entry any facilities, including events centres, airports, and public transportation.
The ministry declared that the new measures will be subjected to continuous evaluation by the health authoritries and in line with the country’s epidemiological situation.
